Jude Law Named As Dumbledore

J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World is bubbling with excitement at this morning's announcement that two-time Oscar nominee Jude Law will be taking on the beloved role of Albus Dumbledore in next year's sequel to the blockbuster hit Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. One of the most popular characters from the Harry Potter series, Law will be playing the Hogwarts Headmaster decades earlier while he is serving as the Transfiguration professor at the school.

As fans ourselves, we are thrilled to have Jude Law joining the Fantastic Beasts cast, playing a character so universally adored. Jude has been a member of the Warner Bros. family for years and we’re excited to embark on this new adventure with him.

The first of five planned Fantastic Beasts films, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them has grossed over $813 million worldwide and was the first screenplay penned by J.K. Rowling. Rowling, who created the global phenomenon of Harry Potter, has already penned the script for the second installment in the new film series. The Fantastic Beasts storyline began a new era in the Wizarding World, decades before the Harry Potter movies.

Richard Harris (left) starred as Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. Following his death, Michael Gambon (right) took over the role for the remainder of the film series.

Director David Yates, who helmed the final four Potter films and the first Fantastic Beasts film, will be behind the wheel for the sequel as well and said, "Jude Law is a phenomenally talented actor whose work I have long admired, and I’m looking forward to finally having the opportunity to work with him. I know he will brilliantly capture all the unexpected facets of Albus Dumbledore as J.K. Rowling reveals this very different time in his life."

Filming of the sequel is slated to begin this summer with an expected theatrical release date of November 16, 2018.